Two Lithuanian Politicians Speak Out In Support Of Resuming Belarusian Potash Transit
Reform.news Editorial Team · 23 September 2026, 10:54
https://reform.news/en/two-lithuanian-politicians-speak-out-in-support-of-resuming-belarusian-potash-transit/The Lithuanian president and government reject the possibility of resuming the transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers through the country. However, some Lithuanian politicians believe the issue could be reconsidered. They point to the fact that Russia is currently earning money from the transit.
“I am among those who would consider the decision to block the transportation of fertilizers not entirely justified. Now most of the fertilizers are transported through the Russian port of Ust-Luga. Russia takes part of the money for the transportation. The question is whether this is a strategically justified decision,” MEP and honorary chairman of the Social Democrats Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis told LRT.
It should be noted that Andriukaitis expressed a similar view several months ago, when reports first emerged about US pressure to reconsider the sanctions.
Andriukaitis also supports a scheme under which, alongside the transit of Belarusian fertilizers, the transportation of Ukrainian grain through Belarus and Lithuania would also be ensured.
“Ukraine’s grain exports through the Black Sea are severely restricted. Aliaksandr Lukashenka has loudly stated that he will not fight anyone. Perhaps, in the context of the EU, we could consider unblocking the transit of Ukrainian grain through Belarus, allowing Ukraine to transport its grain through the port of Klaipėda. This would be major support for them. If we think that A. Lukashenka could be regarded as being in such a fragile position, not fully tied to V. Putin, then in this context we can discuss transit on the condition that Ukrainian grain would be transported through Belarus and the port of Klaipėda,” he said.
“What benefit does Putin get from transporting fertilizers through Ust-Luga? Let’s put the figures on the table. We shout that we do not want to help Putin, but at the same time we do everything to ensure that his port loads Belarusian fertilizers. The decision previously made by the conservatives and supported at the European level (to impose sanctions on Belarusian fertilizers), without weighing all the consequences for the port of Klaipėda and Lithuania’s economy, was not the most sensible one. This kind of ‘hurrah patriotism’ is the last thing needed here. What is needed here is shrewdness, diplomatic wisdom and an understanding of which strategic factors can be used. Especially in the context of helping Ukraine,” Andriukaitis added.
He also doubts that sanctions can be applied to fertilizers at all, as this affects food security.
Another MEP, chairman of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union Aurelijus Veryga, holds a similar position.
“If we want to demonstrate our political position in this way, that is one issue. Then the logic is clear: we have similar sanctions against Russia and Belarus. But if one of the main goals of the sanctions is to weaken Russia and prevent it from earning money, then we need to look at whether banning the transit of Belarusian fertilizers through Lithuania creates the effect that Russia earns money from it. That is the last thing we want, for it to use this money to finance the war in Ukraine,” he said.
According to him, what matters more is preventing Russia from earning money and using it to finance the war in Ukraine.